Liam Norcliffe

A man admitted threatening a teaching assistant at a Nottinghamshire primary school in a row about parking, a court heard.

David Duncan, 22, of Jackson Terrace, Meden Vale, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive or insulting words towards Claire Louth, who works at Ramsden Primary School, Carlton-in-Lindrick, near Worksop, on November 10 2015.

On Thursday, January 7, prosecutor, Robert Carr, told Mansfield magistrates there had been general problems in the past regarding parking at the school - which included Miss Louth having to speak to Duncan about parking at the school bus stop.

On November 10, Miss Louth again spoke to Duncan about parking at the bus stop near the school.

A few minutes later, Miss Louth also approached Duncan’s partner, who had just arrived, and asked her about moving the car, but she also refused.

At about 4pm, Miss Louth then collected her own son from the same school, but as she did, she was confronted by Duncan who started shouting and swearing at her.

Another member of staff arrived and took Miss Louth’s son away from the scene and asked Duncan to stop swearing, to which he replied: “It does not matter, I am a grown man.”

Miss Louth said that Duncan then added: “I know where you live”, which Miss Louth said she believed was a threat - but Duncan said it was not a threat and had been taken out of context.

Miss Louth also said that when Duncan first approached her, she thought he was going to hit her.

“She is fearful because he knows where she lives,” Mr Carr said. “She fears further problems with Mr Duncan.”

In a police interview, Duncan accepted that the argument had occurred because Miss Louth had approached his partner about where to park.

He also admitted swearing and saying: “I know where you live” - but said it was not a threat and that he did not mean it.

Duncan, who was representing himself, told the court: “I am sorry for a stupid mistake and it should never have happened.

“It was an on-going situation that had been going on for a few months.

“There will be no more connections. I have not spoken to her and have no reason to take it any further.”

The presiding magistrate said: “This was a very unpleasant situation. There were children present. You did this to a teaching assistant who was only doing her job.”

Duncan, who had no previous convictions, was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and £50 compensation to Miss Louth.